Statement on HB 5002: An Act Concerning Housing and the Needs of Homeless Persons

The following statement can be attributed to David Rich, CEO, The Housing Collective:

"Today marks a major milestone in our collective efforts to make Connecticut more affordable: Governor Lamont has signed HB 5002, a comprehensive housing bill years in the making. By reducing barriers to multifamily buildings and “missing middle” housing, and incentivizing smart development in downtowns and near transit, this legislation will help our communities become more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable, and ensure all residents can find an affordable place to live in a state where housing costs are out of control, evictions are rising and homelessness is growing.

As we celebrate this achievement, we applaud HB 5002 not as an ending to the years of hard work it took to get here, but as a beginning. The legislation does not require any new housing be constructed in Connecticut. Instead, it’s an invitation for towns, cities, and regions to step up and take advantage of new opportunities and resources. Communities will need to embrace this opportunity and actively engage with the planning process in order to realize the full potential of this bill. Those who do will set themselves up for meaningful, locally-led progress on housing moving forward. Our team looks forward  to supporting, assisting, and collaborating with and across local communities to ensure HB 5002 leads to tangible housing opportunities for all residents."